944 police have criminal records

The Metropolitan came top with 356 officers and 41 PCSOs with convictions

We will not be issuing a comment on this, it is strictly a matter for the local police forces

The Home Office

The 944 police and community support officers have also been charged with domestic violence, forgery and perverting the course of justice.

They include two detective chief inspectors and a chief inspector working for the Metropolitan Police.

A final figure is likely to be much higher, as only 33 of the 43 forces in England and Wales have responded in full to the Freedom of Information requests.

The Metropolitan Police, Britain’s largest force, came top with 356 officers and 41 PCSOs with convictions.

It was followed by Kent Police with 49 convictions, Devon and Cornwall Police with 44, Essex Police with 42, South Yorkshire Police with 35, Hampshire Police with 31 and West Midlands Police with 27 convictions.

A Pc from Devon and Cornwall convicted of burglary as a teenager and a Merseyside officer of causing death by careless driving.

Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, who deals with professional standards for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: “The public is entitled to expect that police forces will recruit people who demonstrate the highest standards of professional conduct and honesty.”

The Home Office said: “We will not be issuing a comment on this, it is strictly a matter for the local police forces.”